Frank L. Culin, Jr.

Major General Frank L. Culin Jr. (March 31, 1892 – December 31, 1967) was a career officer in the United States Army. A recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Bronze Star Medal, and Air Medal, he was a veteran of both World War I and World War II. Culin attained the rank of major general and was most notable for his command of the 87th Infantry Division in the Ardennes Forest during the Battle of the Bulge in the final months of World War II.

Early life Frank L. Culin Jr. was born in Seattle, Washington on March 31, 1892, a son of Frank Lewis Culin and Elizabeth I. Harding. Culin's brother John Harding Culin was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and career Navy officer who died in 1925 while serving as a lieutenant commander. The Culin family moved to San Francisco, then in 1903 to Tucson, Arizona. The senior Culin was a corporate accountant He graduated in 1910, then began attendance at the University of Arizona's preparatory school. Culin then commenced studies at the University of Arizona, from which he graduated in 1915 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mining engineering. In 1916, he received a Master of Science degree in mining engineering from the University of Arizona. Over the years of his participation, he advanced through the ranks to become cadet lieutenant colonel, the highest rank a student could achieve. Culin was the recipient of the gold Troutman Medal for the 1911–1912 school year. Los Chisos Mining Company of Terlingua, Texas and Calumet and Arizona (C&A) Mining Company of Bisbee, Arizona. Upon graduating in April 1917,

By the summer of 1918, the 30th Infantry had arrived in France as part of the 3rd Division. Culin commanded the 30th Infantry's machine gun company, and served with his regiment during several campaigns, including Aisne, Aisne-Marne; St. Mihiel, and Meuse-Argonne.

Continued career Military education In addition to the Army Service School, Culin's military education included the advanced course for Infantry officers (1928), the Command and General Staff College (1930) and the Army War College (1940). From 1923 to 1927, he commanded the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at the University of Oregon. At the start of World War II, Culin was assigned to command of the regiment.

In July 1943, Culin was assigned as deputy commander of the newly organized 10th Light Division (Alpine), and he took part in the unit's initial organization and training. In October 1944, Culin was assigned to command the 87th Infantry Division. The division organization and training in the United States and England before arriving in France in late 1944. He was subsequently assigned to an Army board based at Fort Lewis, Washington which considered and made recommendations on the applications of reserve officers for regular army commissions. In 1946, Culin was retired for disability incurred in the line of duty. He died in Pebble Beach, California on December 31, 1967. They were the parents of a daughter, Virginia (1921–2010) and two sons, Frank L. Culin III (1922–2006) and John Edward Culin (1925–2007).

Virginia Cullin was the wife of James Boyce Scott (1916–1961), an Army veteran who later served as a judge of the Arizona Superior Court. She was also a speaker and author on Arizona history, and her published works included Outpost in the Desert, Pioneers in the Desert and With Their Own Blood. The citation for his Army DSM reads:

Culin's foreign decorations included the French Legion of Honor (Chevalier) and Croix de Guerre with Palm, and the Belgian Croix de Guerre with Palm.

Civilian awards In 1944, Culin was a recipient of the University of Arizona Alumni Achievement Award. In 1960 he was one of the UA alumni awarded the Medallion of Merit during the university's 75th anniversary celebration.